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The Dangers of Childhood Obesity

The Dangers of Childhood Obesity

I was always a husky child growing up. It never bothered me and getting seconds or thirds of dinner never seemed like an abnormal thing to do. It wasn’t until the summer between 8th and 9th grade that I realized I was overweight for a child my age and height. I was never teased or bullied but, I recognized the extra energy I had to use when playing sports and how it slowed me down compared to teammates who were my height.

I wasn’t an obese child by any means, but childhood obesity is quickly becoming a growing issue, “Data from 2015-2016 show that nearly 1 in 5 school-age children and young people (6 to 19 years) in the United States has obesity” (CDC, 2018). A combination of poor nutritional school lunches, cheap food options for parents and a lack of portion and appetite control in our society is increasing the number of “children who have obesity are more likely to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Breathing problems, such as asthma and sleep apnea” (CDC, 2018). No one, especially children, should have to worry about their physical health being affected by the overabundance of food our society eats.

Without making changes to our country's school lunch programs, better food education, and changing how we advertise food to children, the number of children who will be affected by childhood obesity will continue to rise. Which will also lead to other health issues as they get older.